In brief
On June 12, 2025, Viswash Kumar Ramesh emerged as the only passenger to survive the Air India Flight 171 disaster, which tragically claimed 241 lives, including his brother. His emotional first conversation after the crash reveals a mix of shock and disbelief.
Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 38, was aboard the Air India Flight 171, which tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, bound for London. As the only person to survive among the 242 passengers, Ramesh expressed feelings of disbelief, reaching out to his family in Leicester, England, moments after escaping the wreckage.“I don’t know how I am alive,” Ramesh told his younger brother, Nayan, reflecting on the miracle of his survival amidst the devastation surrounding him. The crash resulted in the deaths of all other passengers, including Ramesh's own brother, Ajay. As news of the disaster reached the family, their home became a place of mourning and shock.Outside the Ramesh family residence, a group gathered, encapsulating both grief and astonishment. Inside, family members were comforting one another as they processed the tragic loss. Nayan shared updates about his brother’s condition, stating that Viswash was in shock but out of immediate danger after receiving medical attention.A doctor in India, Dhaval Gameti, confirmed that Viswash had sustained multiple injuries but was recovering. Unfortunately, the survivor struggled with the emotional toll of the crash, expressing confusion about how he escaped while others did not. He managed to communicate briefly from the wreckage, stating, “I can’t see my brother. I can’t see any other passengers.”After the incident, emergency responders quickly transported Viswash to a hospital, where he continued to recuperate. The family's focus now shifts to supporting him through his recovery and grieving the loss of loved ones.
